Tuesday, 28 December 2010

It's the size of a barn door, weighs more than an elephant, and is one of the most famous and coveted paintings in the world. It's the Ghent Altarpiece - also called Adoration of the Mystic Lamb (in Dutch: Het Lam Gods), after a central panel showing hordes of pilgrims gathered to pay homage to the Lamb of God.

The painting was begun by Hubert van Eyck, who died in 1426 whilst work was underway, and completed by his younger brother Jan van Eyck. The painting has endured six centuries of war, theft and intrigue.